E-liquid: Facts & FAQ's

Frequently Asked E-liquid Questions.

Here at Totally Wicked we are delighted to answer any questions our customers have regarding the e-liquid we manufacture in the UK or import from our international partners. The Product & Technical team field questions that have been passed on by our customer services advisors on a daily basis, and we make it a priority to provide a detailed response that our customer service team may convey back to you.

The Totally Wicked Product & Technical team has extensive scientific and engineering experience, combined with high specification analytical facilities at our UK e-liquid manufacturing site. This investment and wide-ranging experience has enabled Totally Wicked to establish comprehensive technical data sets for each e-liquid product we supply to you. This has in turn enabled us to fully comply with The Tobacco and Related Product Regulations 2016.

We have listed below a snapshot of frequently asked e-liquid questions that our Product & Technical team has received. The list is not intended to be comprehensive, nor is it in any particular order of frequency or importance. We hope you find it informative, and please keep the questions coming!

Has it been proven that flavoured e-liquids produce toxic levels of aldehydes?

No, definitely not! One study, accompanied by a grossly irresponsible press release, made headlines in some national newspapers late in 2016. The data presented was contradictory with other peer reviewed scientific papers on e-cigarette emissions for flavoured e-liquid. Our own emission testing programme, which has included over 100 flavour combinations, also completely contradicts this study. We suspect the data set will not be reproducible by any other research group, and no validation of the data has been forthcoming. Dr Farsalinos, the eminent e-cigarette researcher, has obtained funding to precisely recreate this study to ascertain its validity. It should also be noted that this report was based on a select few USA manufactured e-liquids, for which we have no indication on the quality systems used in their manufacture.

Totally Wicked e-liquids contain alcohol (ethanol)

When we ask if a product contains alcohol we are usually referring to the type we enjoy to drink (ethanol). There are other types of chemicals that can be used as flavour ingredients that are correctly described as “alcohols” in terms of their chemistry, but are not intoxicating in the same way as ethanol.

Firstly, let us deal with UK manufactured e-liquid. Ethanol is included at very low levels as a flavour enhancer (approx. 0.1 % w/w) in Red Label Tobacco, Tobacco menthol, and Black magic, but is not present in any other Red Label or Diavlo flavours at quantifiable levels. Gold standard flavour concentrates are alcohol free (above trace levels).

Should I vape when suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?

COPD is a condition that most commonly affects middle aged or older adults who smoke or who have smoked. Breathing problems tend to get worse over time and can limit normal activities. The most effective treatment for COPD is to stop smoking. The best way for you to achieve this can only be determined following consultation with your GP and/or relevant healthcare professional.

Our quality control system ensures all e-liquids products (UK and international) are free from diacetyl, acetyl propionyl, and acetoin (to established limit of quantification). We make this unequivocal guarantee to our customers. Please refer to the Vaped magazine online article entitled “Diacetyl and Popcorn lung: Should vapers be concerned?” for more information.

Do Totally Wicked e-liquids contain sugar?

No. The two most common types of sugar in our diets are refined and fruit sugars, known as sucrose and fructose. Sucrose is the type of granulated sugar we use to sweeten coffee or bake cakes but it is not present as a flavour enhancer in any of our e-liquids. Some confectionary type flavours contain synthetic flavour enhancers maltol and ethyl maltol, but not refined sugar. Lactose is another type of disaccharide sugar that you may be familiar with as it is present in milk. Lactose is not used as an ingredient in any of our e-liquid products.

Are Totally Wicked e-liquids suitable for diabetics?

We can assure you that our e-liquid does not contain free sugar, the type associated with high blood sugar and diabetes. Free sugars are any sugars added to food or drink, or found naturally in fruit juices, honey, and syrups. If you have any further concerns then we would advise you to consult your GP and/or healthcare professional.

Are Totally Wicked e-liquids suitable for vegans?

Our vegetable glycerine is derived from rapeseed, flavours are synthetic, and propylene glycol is a synthetic product which is not derived from any animal-related ingredient. This means no animal products or by-products are used in their manufacture. Therefore we can state that our e-liquid is suitable for vegan/vegetarian customers.

Does glycerine (VG) contain alcohol or animal fats?

Our UK supplied vegetable glycerine is derived from rapeseed, hence the name vegetable glycerine. Our internationally supplied e-liquid products contain glycerine derived from soya bean. Manufactured glycerine can be derived from animal fat, consequently you would be correct to ask this question. Totally Wicked only use vegetable glycerine in our e-liquid products. All vegetable glycerine formulated in our products is pharmaceutical grade and contains no alcohol.

Do Totally Wicked e-liquids contain caffeine?

We do not, and are by regulation not allowed to add caffeine to any UK manufactured e-liquid. Caffeine is not an ingredient in any of our internationally manufactured e-liquid.

Our flavour ingredients are produced only at Nut-Free Sites, and none of the materials used in their flavourings contain nuts or substances derived from nuts. This most pertinently applies to the Totally Wicked Diavlo Cyclops Bob flavoured e-liquid (Peanut butter).

Airway allergy advice: Do Totally Wicked e-liquids contain sulphites?

Based on the information disclosed to Totally Wicked for TRPR 2016, we can state our e-liquid do not contain sulphites.

Why is there occasional variation in flavoured e-liquid colour between batches?

There are several explanations for this observation, and they do not compromise the quality of the e-liquid product. The first is that higher concentration nicotine (e.g. 1.8 %) can slightly darken the colour of the e-liquid product, especially after storage at room temperature. This is an expected chemical process, one we have quantified in the lab, and has no impact on the product specification. The second explanation is that from time to time, a flavour concentrate that we purchase will vary in colour between each batch. American Red Tobacco flavouring is an example, one batch can be a straw yellow and the next will be a light brown. This colour variation is a result of the formulation process used by flavour manufacturers, and is accounted for in their own product specification. It has no impact on flavour quality, and our own internal QC checks are applied to each batch of flavour concentrate that we purchase. In the event of any flavour concentrate failing our internal QC tests, it is immediately quarantined and returned to the supplier pending a further investigation.

Company Info

Totally Wicked is the UK’s premier vaping company. Stocking a significant range of e-cigarette kits and mods, e-liquid and vaping accessories, which is framed around our distinctive e-liquid ranges. Unlike most electronic cigarette and vaping companies, we have never allowed our e-liquid to be seen as a simple ‘commodity’ product. Quite the contrary, we place our e-liquids at the centre of our company’s business model. Each of our ranges has its own heritage and relevance to our business. Our Red Label fluid is our exclusive signature range from our own in-house development and production team right here in the UK, with the range using only the very best UK sourced ingredients.

Vaping and the products we and other vendors sell are transforming the centuries old habit of millions. We intend to be here supporting our customers and fighting for the rights of Vapers internationally whenever rights and freedom of choice are threatened. It is in these matters that our principles are again called to action. We will never allow for our commercial interests to override our basic responsibilities to do the right thing for our customers.

18 Restriction

You must be eighteen (18) years of age, and possess a valid credit card to purchase our products.

Totally Wicked e-liquid (UK) Ltd. will not sell products to minors. Totally Wicked e-liquid (UK) Ltd. reserves the right to cancel any sales transaction based on its sole discretion where it reasonably believes the purchaser is purchasing products on behalf of a minor. Read more on our age verififcation policy.